Millions are at risk from waterborne diseases in flood-affected areas

Shazia Mehboob

In the wake of recent floods across Pakistan, the risk of waterborne diseases has increased manifolds. According to the state-issued statistics, an estimated 33 million people, a large majority of whom are women and children, are left exposed to waterborne diseases by the recent floods. Their condition is made worse by the shortage of clean drinking water and food.

The UN Secretary General was extremely alarmed by the conditions on his recent visit to the flood-affected areas. Other heads of states, including US President Biden, have expressed concerns about the seriousness of the situation in Pakistan.

Waterborne diseases are putting the lives of hundreds of thousands of people at risk, particularly those without drinkable water, in Pakistan.  In this regard, health experts say diarrhea is included amongst the leading cause of death for children under the age of five, causing more childhood deaths than malaria, AIDS and measles combined together.

According to Dr Imran Chaudhary, a classified child specialist, the most common waterborne diseases in Pakistan are acute fever [typhoid], diarrhea, cholera, malaria, anemia, botulism, scabies, and polio. However, the most damaging to children’s health are acute fever, diarrhea and skin diseases.

Dr Imran further added that when we look at waterborne diseases in-depth we find polio and meningitis pose significant risks to public health.  There is a need to take immediate measures to control the spread of waterborne diseases particularly in flood-hit areas as people there are more vulnerable to such diseases.

Saleem Shah, a volunteer involved in relief and rehabilitation work in KP’s flood-affected areas, said the unavailability of hygienic food and clean drinking water are severely affecting the health of people in the flood-affected areas. Every third affected person is a victim of waterborne disease in Charsadda and other flood-hit areas in the province.

Saleem Shah said a large majority of the population lives in broken mud dwellings along the accumulated flood water, and due to a shortage of clean drinking water, are forced to use contaminated water.

There is no quality check over the supply of food and other relief items and the state machinery is engaged in political point scoring, leaving people at the risk of endemics, Shah added. The majority of the children and other individuals have diarrhea and in certain cases, cholera, dysentery, and other gastrointestinal disorders have been diagnosed.